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Team members Hal Kroninger, Skyler Jennings and Jonathan Buncher practice putting out fires.

Are you prepared for a disaster in your community? As a national Homeland Security Initiative, Teen CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is here to help educate the youth in your city.

Teen CERT is a year-round program directed at making communities safer by training youth how to prepare for and respond to times of emergencies. Through disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, fire safety and team organization, youth are exposed to careers in emergency service.

A branch off Learning for Life, the Explorer program provides young men and women ages 14-20 with the chance to experience hands-on activities that promote personal and community safety.

Meetings are held at the Charleston Police Department twice a month for two hours.

Not only does Teen CERT increase awareness of emergency preparedness, it also helps young adults develop as individuals by encouraging networking, community service, character development, self-confidence and leadership.

According to members Hal Kroninger and Skyler Jennings, Teen CERT training teaches you readiness and response skills.

Hands-on practice and realistic exercises prepare you for the unexpected in your community.

Newly-taught leadership skills empower you to safely respond to an emergency and assist victims without endangering yourself or others.

You’ll be equipped with skills that last a lifetime. This is the goal of Teen CERT when the group trains its members.

Teen CERT involves everyone in making the communities and our nation safer, stronger, and better prepared. Many schools are taking advantage of trained Teen CERT members to enhance their school response plan.

Teen CERT insists that no matter where you live, who you are, or your age, we all have a role in hometown preparedness. What role will you play?

Katherine Murchison is a junior at Charleston County’s School of the Arts where she is majoring in creative writing. She recently moved to Mount Pleasant from Long Island, N.Y.

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